Speed Parts Hall Of Fame

Every year since 2007, HOT ROD has conducted a poll to choose the most significant aftermarket components to come out of the automotive-performance industry. We choose a cross section of products and let the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) members vote for the five best, which then become our inductees. Interestingly, this year SEMA chose some of the earliest components--one of which was manufactured even before there was a performance industry.

Moon Tank

One of the most ubiquitous of all hot rod components, the Moon tank comes in many sizes for many applications. No matter the setting, Dean Moon's versatile tank-- first produced in the early '50s--has stood the test of time. The term “Moon tank” is now used generically to describe any spun-aluminum tank used in racing. Moon tanks are still available today, from the same location since the early '60s--on Norwalk Blvd. in Santa Fe Springs, California.

2/6

Stewart-Warner Gauges

Though first created at the turn of the 20th century, Stewart-Warner gauges are known by hot rodders for their dominance in racing and the aftermarket since WWII. The distinctive white characters on a black field with chrome bezels have been seen in everything that races on land, sea, or air--in addition to many OE and military applications. Early versions of the Stewart-Warner gauges are much sought after by vintage hot rod builders today.

3/6

Automotive Racing Products Head Bolts

ARP has become a leader in the aftermarket by supplying bulletproof automotive and aerospace fasteners. In 1968, ARP founder Gary Holzapfel saw that commercially available bolts and studs were not holding up to performance racing applications, so he began manufacturing fasteners in his garage. Today, ARP supplies fasteners for many areas of racing, including NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA Top Fuel, Formula I, and more, while also providing complete lines of fasteners for street engines and drivelines.

4/6

Hedman Hedders

Bob Hedman started making headers and exhaust systems for fellow lakes racers as a side business to help pay for his racing hobby. Very quickly, Hedman Hedders was supplying drag racers and speed shops with quality headers for both the street and racing. Hedman's line of performance headers and accessories grew to include most car/engine applications and even bolt-ins for some of the more popular swaps like the V8 Vega and V8 S-10.

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Keith Black Hemi

In the mid-'70s, as the need for lighter and stronger components for fuel motors was paramount and the supply of Chrysler-produced iron blocks was already diminishing, Keith Black saw a need and filled it, creating an aluminum version of Chrysler's 426 Hemi that is currently in its 15th iteration. Making its debut in 1974, the KB block was not the first aluminum Hemi, but it became the standard for all Top Fuel categories for over a decade. Starting in 1975 and for the next 10 years, cars running the KB block held all national records in Top Fuel.